English Department

English Courses

CP English courses cover all standards required by the State of California and are accepted for admission to any CSU or UC campus for enrollment immediately upon graduation from high school with a grade of B or better.Students will be assigned to read a minimum of 20 pages per day.

Accelerated English courses are designed for students who plan to attend a four-year college or university upon graduating from high school.These courses are more rigorous and faster-paced than the College Prep courses.Students will be assigned to read a minimum of 25 pages per day.

APTM Englishcourses are designed for students interested in taking the APTM test in grade 12.Students will be assigned to read a minimum of 25 pages per day.

* Students can take Humanities or Poetry or Mythology one time only for English credit.Any additional enrollment in any of these courses will be elective credit.

English 1 College Prep

Grade:91 Year Course #1004 – Credits: 10English Prerequisite:None

Description:In this first year of high school English, students will continue to develop their skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, listening, speaking and library use.Writing emphasis will be on the development of essays, emphasizing correct usage of grammar and punctuation.Students will sharpen their reading skills by studying core literature works.

English 1 AcceleratedGrade:91 Year Course #1014 – Credits: 10 EnglishPrerequisite:Reads at grade level, grade of B or better in 8th grade Language Arts and recommendation of instructor.Description:This course meets all standards for English 1 CP, but is more rigorous and fast-paced.

English 2 College Prep
Grade: 10 1 Year Course #1023 – Credits: 10 English
Prerequisite: Reads at grade level, grade of C or better in English 1 CP.Description: In this course the student will continue to develop an understanding of the structures, motifs, and world views with attendant similarities and differences of the basic literary genres. Works will be chosen from world literature. In composition the student will review essay-writing skills in discussion. Builds on the strong academic foundation and skills for effective communication addressed in English 1.

English 2 AcceleratedGrade:101 YearCourse #1024 – Credits: 10 EnglishPrerequisite:Reads at grade level, grade of C or better in English 1 Honors.Description:This course meets all standards for English 2 CP, but is more rigorous and fast-paced.

English 3 College PrepGrade:111 YearCourse #1033 – Credits: 10 EnglishPrerequisite:Reads at grade level, grade of C or better in English 2 CP.Description:This course offersstudent the opportunity to develop an awareness and understanding of the American Literary tradition.Students will also receive help in the development of their reading and writing skills in this literature-centered course.Students will read and study specific works of American literature.When possible, teachers will select materials from the period students are studying in American History.

English 3 APGrade:111 YearCourse #1034 – Credits: 10 EnglishPrerequisite:Reads at grade level, grade of C or better in English 2 Honors.Description:This course meets all standards for English 3 CP, but is more rigorous and fast-paced.

English 4 College Prep
Grade: 12 1 Year Course #1043 – Credits: 10 English
Prerequisite: Reads at grade level, grade of C or better in English 3 CPDescription: This course heavily emphasizes the study of English literature, but draws on world literature as well. Units of instruction may be thematic or organized chronologically, drawing attention to recurring themes. Students will continue to develop writing and communication skills, with special emphasis on preparing students for beginning college writing classes.

English 4 APGrade:121 YearCourse 1045 – Credits: 10 EnglishPrerequisite:Grade of C or better in English 3 Honors.Description:This course includes meets all standards for English 4 CP, but is more rigorous and fast-paced.Students enrolled in this class are expected to take the AP test.

Poetry CPGrades:11-121 YearCourse #1007 – Credits:10 English or ElectivePrerequisite:Grade C or better in English 2.Non–repeatable for English Credit.Description:This course will explore the usage of metaphor, symbol, image, and diction through creative exercises and analytical essays.Oral interpretation of published and students’ work is emphasized.

Humanities CP
Grades: 11-12 1 Year Course #1017 – Credits: 10 English or Elective
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in English 2. Non-repeatable for English Credit.Description: This course will begin with Ancient Egyptian culture and move through Ancient Greece and Rome. The course will then explore the art, literature, and music of the European Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Finally, it will concentrate on the Romantic, Victorian and Twentieth century periods.

Mythology CP

Grades:11-121 YearCourse #1041 – Credits: 10 English or ElectivePrerequisite:Grade of C or better in English 2.Non-repeatable for English Credit.Description:This course examines the world of gods and goddesses, heroes, and monsters. Myths are more than just the ancient stories told around campfires in front of caves and huts.They are our literary history, and give us insight into both human culture and society, and the psychology of the individual.This course is designed to cover myths from around the world.

JournalismGrades:9-121 YearCourse #9082 – Credits:10 ElectivePrerequisite:Permission of instructor; a 200-word essay-topic to be determined by the teacher.Description:This elective course offers in-depth training in journalistic responsibilities, interviewing, techniques, news writing, and newspaper production.Students are responsible for writing, designing, publishing, and distributing the school newspaper.

Advanced Journalism:The Editor-YearbookGrades:10-121 YearCourse #9183 – Credits:10 ElectivePrerequisite:C or better in English; an application process that includes a writing sample, interview, and/or approval of instructor.Description:This course is designed to give students a comprehensive view of the world of publication.Students will develop skills in layout, copywriting and proof reading, picture copying, advertising, and photography in relation to publishing.After school and weekend participation may be required to meet publication deadlines.

AVID 1:Advancement Via Individual DeterminationGrade:91 YearCourse #9020—Credits:10 ElectivePrerequisite:Teacher and administrator recommendation; 2.0-3.5 GPADescription:AVID 1 offers a rigorous program of instruction in academic “survival skills” and college level entry skills.The AVID program teaches students how to study, read for content, take notes, and manage time.Students participate in collaborative study groups or tutorials led by tutors who use skillful questioning to bring students to a higher level of understanding.The mission of AVID is to ensure that all students, especially middle-performing students, will succeed in the most rigorous courses, enter mainstream activities, increase enrollment in four-year colleges, and become responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society.

AVID 2:Advancement Via Individual DeterminationGrade:101 YearCourse #9021—Credits:10 ElectivePrerequisite:Teacher and administrator recommendation; 2.0-3.5 GPADescription:The high school AVID program is ideally a four-year program for students who have the potential to succeed in college prep courses.AVID 2 picks up where AVID 1 left off, but students may enter the program at either level.